1

Professional Penetration Test Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Penetration Test Engineer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$165K - $195K/yr

Penetration Test Engineer Overview Tech(x) is an energized company with experienced, specialized and progressive thought leaders progressing talented professionals in areas of technology, security ...

Execute web application, API and mobile penetration tests with a focus on manual testing beyond ... professional penetration testing experience in a delivery or consulting context * Strong web ...

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Support the Red Cell Team by performing and leading penetration tests to assess the security of ... ISC2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP) * ISC2 Certified Cloud Security ...

Support the Red Cell Team by performing and leading penetration tests to assess the security of ... ISC2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP) * ISC2 Certified Cloud Security ...

Support the Red Cell Team by performing and leading penetration tests to assess the security of ... ISC2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP) * ISC2 Certified Cloud Security ...

Support the Red Cell Team by performing and leading penetration tests to assess the security of ... ISC2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP) * ISC2 Certified Cloud Security ...

NJ · Hybrid

$170K/yr

... professionals for this role. What will you be doing? Barclays Services Corp. seeks Penetration Tester, AVP (multiple positions) in Whippany, NJ: * Scope and execute penetration tests and code review ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Professional Penetration Test information

See salary details

$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do professional penetration test jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional penetration test in the United States is $119,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,000.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is penetration testing a good career?

Penetration testing is a valuable cybersecurity role that involves identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. It requires technical skills, knowledge of security tools, and often certifications like OSCP or CEH. The field offers strong job growth, competitive salaries, and opportunities for continuous learning.

Will pentesters be replaced by AI?

Professional penetration testers perform manual testing, analysis, and creative problem-solving that AI currently cannot fully replicate. While AI tools can assist in identifying vulnerabilities and automating repetitive tasks, human expertise remains essential for complex assessments, interpreting results, and adapting to new threats. The role is expected to evolve with technology, but not be entirely replaced by AI.

What are professional penetration testers?

Professional penetration testers, often called 'pen testers,' are cybersecurity experts who simulate cyberattacks on computer systems, networks, or applications to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Their job is to assess security defenses, uncover weaknesses, and provide recommendations for remediation. Penetration testers use a combination of automated tools and manual techniques, operating with permission from the organization to ensure ethical and legal compliance. Their work helps companies strengthen their security posture and protect sensitive information.

How much do pentesters get paid?

Professional penetration testers typically earn between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Senior or specialized pentesters with certifications like OSCP or CISSP can earn higher salaries, especially in high-demand markets or with consulting firms.

What are some common challenges Professional Penetration Testers face when conducting assessments for clients?

Professional Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as limited timeframes for comprehensive testing, varying levels of client preparedness, and restricted access to certain systems due to organizational policies. Additionally, clear communication with non-technical stakeholders can be essential to ensure findings are accurately understood and acted upon. Balancing thorough testing with minimal disruption to client operations is also a frequent consideration in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Professional Penetration Tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Penetration Tester, you need in-depth knowledge of networking, operating systems, security protocols, and common vulnerabilities, often supported by a degree in cybersecurity or computer science. Proficiency with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and certifications like OSCP or CEH are typically expected. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and clear communication help standout testers effectively assess systems and report findings. These skills ensure accurate vulnerability identification and effective communication with stakeholders to improve overall security posture.

What is the difference between Professional Penetration Test vs Ethical Hacker?

AspectProfessional Penetration TestEthical Hacker
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, CISSPOSCP, CEH, CISSP
Work EnvironmentConducted for organizations to identify vulnerabilitiesMay include bug bounty programs, security assessments
Employer & Industry UsageCompanies, cybersecurity firms, government agenciesSecurity firms, freelance, bug bounty platforms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, certifications, scopeSimilar skills, broader hacking activities

Both roles require similar certifications and work in cybersecurity environments, but a Professional Penetration Test typically refers to a formal, client-specific security assessment, while an Ethical Hacker may engage in broader hacking activities, including bug bounty programs. The penetration test is a structured process, whereas ethical hacking can be more exploratory.

Can you make $500,000 a year in cyber security?

Professional penetration testers and cybersecurity experts can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications like CISSP or OSCP, and roles in high-demand industries or senior leadership positions. Achieving this level often requires specialized skills, a strong reputation, and sometimes consulting or leadership responsibilities.
What cities are hiring for Professional Penetration Test jobs? Cities with the most Professional Penetration Test job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Penetration Test jobs? The most popular types of Penetration Test jobs are:
What states have the most Professional Penetration Test jobs? States with the most job openings for Professional Penetration Test jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Professional Penetration Test jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Professional Penetration Test jobs are:
Infographic showing various Professional Penetration Test job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Locum Tenens, 85% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Penetration Testing Lead

OCH Technologies LLC

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

OCH Technologies is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead responsible for planning, executing, and documenting all penetration testing activities performed under this contract, including network, system, application, and aircraft cybersecurity assessments. This individual develops Rules of Engagement with system owners, leads red and blue team exercises, and delivers comprehensive penetration test reports that provide actionable, technically sound findings and recommendations. The ideal candidate is an experienced offensive security professional who combines advanced technical expertise with the discipline, sound judgment, and attention to detail required to operate successfully in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment.
This position supports a proposal effort and is contingent upon award, customer approval, and successful onboarding requirements.
Location
Hybrid - Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) Washington, DC
This position may require up to 50% travel to FAA facilities.
Core Responsibilities & Duties
  • Serve as primary technical POC for all penetration testing activities, including network, system, application, aircraft cyber, and specialized assessments.
  • Develop Rules of Engagement (ROE) with system owners and ACG for each penetration test. Ensure all parties understand scope, constraints, and reporting requirements before testing begins.
  • Personally lead high-complexity penetration tests in NAS and Mission Support environments. Direct testing teams during execution.
  • Plan and execute red team and blue team exercises in simulated environments as directed by the FAA. Design realistic attack scenarios that test the effectiveness of NAS cybersecurity defenses.
  • Document all penetration test results in Penetration Test Reports (PTRs) including attack vectors tested, vulnerabilities discovered, exploitation paths, and recommended remediation actions.
  • Assess and document impact when access is gained during testing, including potential cascading effects on associated systems and network infrastructure. Report high-risk findings immediately to the FAA.
  • Lead regression penetration testing to validate that previously identified vulnerabilities have been effectively remediated.
  • Manage and maintain penetration testing tools and environments. All tools must be FAA-approved. No circumvention of access controls or privilege escalation outside approved ROE.
  • Attend all Program Management Reviews and report on penetration testing status, findings trends, and upcoming test schedules.
  • Develop briefings to support POAM development and remediation activities. When requested, provide FAA leadership with prioritized remediation recommendations.

Responsibilities may evolve over time to support team and organizational goals but will remain consistent with the overall scope of the role.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
Master's degree in a related field preferred.
Experience
  • Minimum of fifteen (15) years of cybersecurity experience, including at least 5 years leading or supervising penetration testing teams.
  • At least two (2) years of relevant experience must have been performed within the last 3 years.
  • Demonstrated experience planning, executing, and documenting penetration testing engagements in complex, multi-system environments.
  • Expert-level proficiency with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and related frameworks.
  • Ability to conduct manual testing beyond automated tool output.
  • Experience conducting manual testing and exploitation beyond automated scanner results.
  • Deep understanding of NIST SP 800-115, PTES, OWASP, and industry-standard penetration testing methodologies.
  • Experience developing and operating within formal Rules of Engagement (ROE) for penetration testing.
  • Experience with red team / blue team exercises including scenario development, execution, and after-action reporting.
  • Understanding of network exploitation across multi-vendor environments including wireless, routing (Layer 3), switching (Layer 2), firewalls, IDS/IPS, and cloud services.

Security Clearance Requirement
Candidate must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust.
Active Secret clearance is preferred.
Certifications
Security certification such as OSCP, OSCE, OSWP, OSWE, CEH, ECSA, CEH Practical, ECSA Practical, LPT Master, GCIH, GPEN, GWAPT, GXPN, GAWN, or an equivalent industry-recognized credential.
Additional certifications in cyber defense, incident response, digital forensics, or threat detection disciplines are highly preferred, including CND, CNDA, GCIH, GCIA, GDAT, GDSA, GCED, GCFA, or comparable industry-recognized credentials.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience testing NAS systems, aviation systems, or other air traffic management infrastructure.
  • Experience with aircraft cyber testing including avionics, flight control systems, or air-ground communications systems.
  • Experience testing industrial control systems (ICS) or operational technology (OT) environments.
  • Experience with wireless and satellite-based communication system security testing.
  • Familiarity with DoD offensive/defensive cyber operations frameworks.
  • Command-and-control frameworks (Cobalt Strike, Sliver, Mythic) for realistic adversary simulation during red team exercises.
  • Active Directory attack path analysis tools (BloodHound, Impacket) for identifying lateral movement and privilege escalation paths.
  • Nuclei for scalable automated vulnerability detection beyond legacy scanner coverage.
  • Cloud-specific penetration testing tools (Pacu for AWS, AzureHound) for cloud-hosted NAS support systems.
  • Software-defined radio (SDR/HackRF) tools for testing air-to-ground and wireless communications systems that do not traverse physical networks.
  • AI-driven fuzzing and adaptive attack path discovery tools for expanding attack surface coverage across complex, interconnected NAS infrastructure.

Other Required Skills and Abilities
  • Ability and willingness to travel and lead on-site penetration testing events at FAA facilities nationwide.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate safely and effectively within mission-critical and operationally sensitive environments.

About Us : At OCH, we are more than just a government contracting firm; we are innovators and leaders in providing cutting-edge IT services and cybersecurity solutions. Driven by a set of fundamental values, we excel in creating secure, efficient, and forward-thinking solutions that empower the government agencies we work with. Our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, adapting swiftly to new challenges, and focusing on the people we serve ensures that we consistently exceed expectations and lead the industry in innovation and reliability.
What Defines Us:
  • Integrity - We act with unwavering honesty, ensuring every decision is rooted ethically.
  • Adaptable - We swiftly adapt to changes, seizing opportunities to innovate and lead.
  • People-Focused - We prioritize relationships, championing growth and mutual success.
  • Accountable - We own our outcomes, striving for excellence through continuous improvement.
  • Collaborative - We cultivate teamwork, harnessing diverse talents to forge groundbreaking solutions.

Why Join Us?
Step into a role at OCH where your contributions make a tangible impact. Join a team that values creativity and initiative, offering a platform to transform the landscape of government IT services. Here, your work is not just a career-it's a mission. Embrace the opportunity to grow, innovate, and excel alongside industry leaders who are as passionate about technology as they are about making a difference. Plus, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including:
  • Paid time off and Holidays
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance - Employer Paid!
  • 401(k)
  • Additional Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement

& More!
E-Verify Participation: OCH Technologies, LLC is a participant of E-Verify to verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.
Veteran's Preference and Accessibility Statement : At OCH Technologies, we deeply respect and appreciate the unique skills and experiences that veterans bring to our team. As a federal contractor, we encourage qualified veterans to apply and provide preference where permitted by law. Your service and dedication are valued here.
We are committed to creating a workplace that is open, welcoming, and accessible to everyone. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, we provide reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process to ensure individuals with disabilities can apply without barriers. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact us at hiring@ochtec.com .
OCH Technologies, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.